Draw-bridge



4 Sheets-Sheet 1.

W. J. BRIGGS.

DRAW BRIDGE.

(No Model.)

Patented Aug. 14, 1888.

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4 Sheets-Sh'eet 2.

(No Model.)

W. J. BRIGGS.

DRAW BRIDGE. No. 387,708.

Patented Aug. 14, 1888.

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4 Sheets-Sheet 3.

(No Model.)

W. J. BRIGGS.

DRAW BRIDGE.

Patented Au Zzqy'wf 34M; @whoa N. PLTERS. Ptwmlmugnpher. wnshingtdn. D.C,

(No Model.) l 4 sheets-sheet 4.

W. J. BRIGGS.

DRAW BRIDGE. No. 387,708. Patented Aug. 14,1888.

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VLLAM J. BRIGGS, OF FORT VORTH, TEXAS.

DRAwusRiDee.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 387,708, dated August14, 1888.

Application filed May 23, 1887. Serial No. 239,125. (No model.) I

To all whom t may concern.-

Be it known that I, WILLIAM J. BRIGGs, a citizen of the United States,residing at Fort Worth, in the county of Tarrant and State of Texas,have invented a new and useful Improvement in Draw-Bridges, of which thefollowing is a specification.

My invention relates to an improvement in, draw-bridges; and it consistsin the construction `and arrangement of the parts of the same, whichwillA he more fully set forth hereinafter, and pointed out in theclaims.

The primary object of my invention is to provide an automaticallyopening and closing gate for use in connection with the draw of thegate, and which is operated by the revolution of the swingingplatform,whether it be t0 or from the said gate.

A further object of my invention is to provide an automaticallyopeningand closing gate for use in connection with draw-bridges having avertical ascension and deseension in opening and closing, and controlledin said movement by mechanism relatively situated upon the draw-platformand the said gates, which mechanism is of simple and effectiveconstruction and operation and positive in its desired ultimate result.

I attain these objects by the construction illustrated in theaccompanyings drawings, wherein like letters of reference indicatesimilar parts in the several views, and in which" Figure l is aperspective view of my improvement, showing the draw-platform as j ustbeing opened. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of my improvement with thc drawclosed. Fig. 3 is an elevation of one of the gatos removed fromconnection with the draw-platform. Fig. 4- is a similar view showing amodification in connection therewith. Fig. 5 is a front elevation of oneof the ends of the draw-platform. Fig.A 6 is a modified form ofconstruction of the gate. Fig. 7 is a modification of construction of adouble gate embodying the saine principle as in the use with the singlegate. Fig. Sis a detail view of the track-iron B2 and T-rail C.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged plan View of the draw and gate, showing theposition of the parts when the draw is closed. Fig. l0 is a si milarview of one of the levers C".

A indicates the swinging platform of the draw, which is constructed inthe usual manner and mounted upon a central pivot orfulcruin-pin, aswill be readily understood, and, as shown in this instance, adapted tobe swung outwardly in either direction. At each end of the draw-platformA, and adjacent thereto, two standards, posts, or brick columns, B B,are formed and suitably mounted, in the upper ends of which suitablesheaves or pulleys, b, are situated and have movement in suitablejournal-boxes. Over these pulleys b cords b pass, which are connected attheir one ends to aweight, B', which is adapted to have movement in thesaid posts or columns B. The

Vother ends of the said cords, ropes, or cables b are secured tosuitable eyes, c, attached to the two top ends of the gates C. Thesegates C are constructed of any suitable material, and may be providedwith a metallic or other suitable sheathing, c', for purposes which willbe more fully hereinafter described.

On the sides of the posts or standards B, adjacent to the ends of thegates C, recessed trackirons B2 are secured, which have centraldepressions or recesses, b2, and which are engaged by angle-irons orT-rails O', secured to the ends of the gate, and thereby the said gateis steadied in its upward and downward movement. In the central rearportion of the gate C a .T-iron, G2, is also secured, which, as shown inFigs. l and 7, may have suitable movement in the platform of the bridge,and thereby provide a guide for each' gate at this point to steady themovement thereof.

Adjacent to each end of the gates O,and also in the central portionthereof, metallic clipplates c2 are secured,which form seats for wireprojections c3, which are pivotcd therein by bending the ends of thewire, and from the central portion thereof the said wires are formed toproject outwardly at right angles, or at nearly right angles, from thegate to which they are attached. The normal disengaged position of thesewires or iron rods c3 is slightly on a` downward incline. These wires oriron rods c3 are adapted to engage with two metallic strips, A', securedto the end of the draw-platform, which strips have an intervening space,a', between their ends at the central portion of the said platform. Thisspace a is adapted to receive the central projection, c3, of the gatewhen the parts are at rest. The inner and outer ends of each of thesestrips A are formed with a chisel-edge, a, so as to provide for an easyengagement therewith of the wire rods ci. These strips A project outwardly from the ends of the draw, and have an intervening space betweenthe inner edges thereof and the ends of the drzuvvplatform to preventthe collection of dirt, ice, or snow therein, which would materiallyaffect the operation of the parts.

In thelower portion ofeaeh of the gates two guide rods or ways, C3, aresecured, the said guideways projecting upwardly some distance. Belowthese guideways C3 two levers, C, are mounted, which are adapted to bethrown in either direction in the operation of the draw, and when throwninward toward the central portion of the gate they are adapted to restupon a central projection, e, and thereby steady the same and aid inresisting the weight brought to bear thereupon. Each of the said leversC' has a metallic arm, c, secured thereto, which projects upwardlyparallel with one side thereof and passes around and has movement inconnection with the guide rods or ways Ci. By this means the said leversare always caused to remain in true adjustment with the gates C, andthereby prevent any inoperative conflict between the parts, which wouldnecessarily be the consequence if the said levers were not thus guidedin their movement. Une of the levers C has a recess, e, formedinitslower portion, for a purpose which will be more fully hereinafterdescribed.

On each end ofthe draw a series of pins, a, a, and alare mounted, thesaid pins being su rrounded by suitable friction rollers or collars, as.The pins ai and c are arranged at or about the same elevation and of thesame length; but the pin if is mounted in a lower position below theplane of the pins fr and e, and is also constructed longer in lengththan the said pins cf and c". In the central portion of thedraw-platform A a cam-block, A2, is mounted between and supported by twosidepins, e, the said cam-block having a metallic sheathing covering`the under side thereof. This block may be constructed of any materialprefer able and applicable for the desired use. The under side thereofis constructed with a plane face in a horizontal plane, and from eachside of this face the eam-block is formed with upward inclines.

Upon the upper top port-ion of each of the gates a metallic housing, C,is adapted to be secured, which covers the opening between the said gateor gates and the end of the draw platform A adjacent thereto. By thismeans the congregation of dirt, ice, and snow is prevented, aud tefurther aid in keeping the plat form A free from any such deposits aseries of openings or recesses are formed at regular in tervals thereinin the top portion thereof, whereby the dirt may fall therethrough andover the end of the draw when the platform is being opened, andcleanliness of the parts thereby at all times preserved.

Myimprovement is adapted to be used with Sarnico a bridge having a rightand left road-center, or with a double right and left drive or tramway,and in the use thereof with a bridge having a double right and lefttramway I propose to use a double form ofthe gate, each gate embodyingthe construction of the single form of gate hereinbefore described, andin the use of this double form of gate a central standard similar to thestandards B B will be used, similar to that shown in Figs. G, 7, and 9,and which maybe conveniently used with the gate without interfering withthe travel over the bridge. It', however, the breadth of the bridge issuch that the leverage will have to be increased without lengthening thelevers, I use a leverage-extension block, D, having recesses in itssides, in which the levers are adapted to rest when thrown overthereagainst, and a friclional roller, d, mounted in the central portionthereof, to overcome the friction between the same and the cam-block A2on the draw-platform, adapted to ride thereon. By this construction theleverage may be extended without increasing the length of the levers, asby increasing the length of the levers to produce the length of leveragenecessary lor the proper and desired operation the levers would have tobe made of such length as to render them cumbersome, and in allprobability cause them to project above the upper surface of the gateand of the platform of the bridge, which would be objectionable, andwould cause an interference of the workingmeehanism and an impracticability thereof.

The construction of the levers C* is such that they maybe raised in avertical position, and thereby prevent the collection thereon of anydepository material which would prove to be deleterious to the action ofthe said levers.

i'lefore proceeding to describe the operation of the invention I callattention to the fact that pin aT on the draw, Figs. 7 and 9, is longerthan the pin fr, and also arranged in a lower plane, Fig. 5; also, thatone ofthe levers C is pivoted on a higher plane than the other. (SeeFig. 3.) XV ith these facts in mind, and remembering that the pin a isthe first to come into action when the draw is swung in the po sitionindicated by the arrow in Figi, and that the pin el is arranged on theopposite side of the draw and comes into action when the draw is swungin the opposite direction, I will proceed. The function of the pins aial is to bear on the inclined levers and depress the gate; but it is notdesired, for instance, that the pin c5 should depress the tirst lever itreaches in its movement in either direction when closing the draw. Nomatter in what direction the draw is moving, the first pin should passthe first lever C4 without depressing the gate. The function of thecam-block A is to continue the depressing of the gate and when thelatter is lowered completely, to rest ou the central projection, c', andhold the gate in its lowered position when the draw is closed. Newsuppose the gates are raised, the draw is IIC servos opened, and it isdesired to close the same. The draw is moved in the position indicatedby the arrow in Fig. l,when the pin a5 on that side of the draw passesthrough the recess c" of the first lever 04 and does not touch it. Itshould be stated that the levers 0L are then iu the inclined positionseen in Figs. 1 and 3. When the draw is moving in the oppositedirection, the levers are in the position shown in Fig. 4. After leavingthe first lever 04 the pin a5 continues around, passing under thecentral projection, c, (as the gate is still raised and the projection cis above the path of the pin ai) and said pin a strikes the second lever0*, which is in the position shown in Fig. 3, and throws or reversessaid lever into the position shown in Fig. et. As soon as the secondlever 04 is reversed, the pin a5 then commences to ride up the inclineof the said lever 04 and depress the gate. Shortly after the pin a5comes into action and commences to ride up the second lever 0* the camblock A2 strikes the first lever 0* and commences to ride up the same,and thus the combined action of the pin a5 and cam-block A2 on the partsmentioned completes thelowering of the gate. In turning the draw thestrips A pass under the projections c3 until theA advancing end of thefirst strip A has nearly reached the last of the three projections c3.Then the pin @riding up the second lever 0*, supplemented by the actionof the cam A2 upon the first lever 04, causes the descent of the gatejust in time for the said last projection c3 to pass under the advancingend of the first strip A. The width of the space between the strips Aand the hinged arrangement of the central projection c3 permits saidcentral projection to fall into position through said space just as theclosure ofthe draw is effected. About the time when the pin a5 reversesthe second lever the first strip A on the draw strikes thelast endprojection c3, having passed below the central projection c3. When thedraw has depressed the gate to its fullest eX- tent, the centralprojection c rides oft' the top of the strip A and drops into the spacea at the meeting inner ends of the said strips. This combination ofstrips A and projections c3 insures an even movement of the gate,overcomes any tendency to rise, and thus avoids any possible binding orfriction of the parts.

Having closed the gates, suppose it is desired to open the draw in thedirection indicated by the arrow: As the draw moves, the strips A passover the projections ci of the gate and prevent the latter from rising.For instance, the first strip A continues to ride over the iirst endprojection c3 as the cam-block A2 leaves the central projection c4. Asthe draw moves, the pin a7 strikes the first lever 04, reverses the sameso as to correspond with the second lever 0", and the said pin a7 ridesup the first lever 0*, holding the gate from rising. About the time whenthe rst strip A commences to act on the end projection c1 the secondstrip Aengages with the center projection c, riding over the top ofthesame, and as soon as the second strip A leaves the center proj ection c3it engages with the last end projection ci. As the draw swings around,the pin a7 cannot strike the second lever 0*, because the latter isabove the plane of the pin a7. As soon as the second strip A leaves thelast end projection c3, the gates arei'ree to rise under the action ofthe weights.

The draw can be closed or opened from either side, and the operation ineither case is essentially the same. In closing the draw from the sideopposite to that indicated by the arrow in Fig. l the pin aT first comesinto action; but it does not strike the first lever. It passes under it,as the plane of the lever is higher than the plane of pin a7. Said pina7 strikes the second lever, reverses the same, and the operation isproceeded with in the same manner as before.

lThe advantage of the construction and operation as just described isthe practicability with which the draw-platform A may be opened orclosed from either side and the operationl and effectiveness of theimprovement preserved.

A further advantage of my improvement consists in using the sheathing orcovering for the several gates as an advertising medium, which arereadily adapted for the reception of advertisements, which may beapplied by means of stencils or in any other desired inanner.

The novelty and utility of my improvement being obviously apparent andappreciable, it is unnecessary to further enlarge upon the same herein.

Itis obvious that many minor variations in the construction andarrangement of the several parts may be made and substituted for thoseshown and described herein without iu the least departing 'from thenature and principle of my invention. V

It will be understood that the pins a5 aT ou the draw form contactpointsto act on the levers 0, while the projections c on the gate formcorresponding contact-points to be acted upon by the strips A on thedraw.

Having thus described my invention, I claiml. The combination, with thegates adapted to ascend and descend in a vertical plane, of the levers04, mounted in connection with the lower portion thereof, and the pinsa5 and a7 and central cam-block, A'l, mounted in connection with the endof the draw-platform, as herein set forth, whereby the said gate mayberaised or lowered in whatever direction the drawplatform may be swung,substantially as described.

2. In combination with the gates having the levers 0l in the lowerportions thereof, the projecting wires or rods c3 in the upper portionsthereof', the projecting pins arranged at different elevations upon theend of the drawplatform, the central cani-block on the drawplatform, andthe metallic strips A', having a IOO IIO

space between their central ends, all arranged as and for purposesherein set forth, substantially as described.

3. The combination, with the gates C, of the posts D, theguiding-connection between the said gate and posts, the levers G,mounted in the lower portion of said gates, the central projection c,and the pins and central ca1n block arranged in connection with the endsof the draw-platform, substantially as de scribed.

4. rllhe combination, with the gate C, of the levers C4, arranged inthelowerportion thereof and steadied in their movements, as set forth,one of said levers being recessed, and the pins ai al and the centralcanrblock, A, substantially as described.

5. The combination, with thelower central portion of the gate C, oftheleverageextension block D, and the levers C, and thcdraw having thecontactpoints to act on the levers, substantially as described.

b'. The combination, with the upper portion ofthe gate, of the wire rodsor pins c, and the strips A', secured to the end of the draw-platform,substantially as described.

7. In combination with the gates having the levers C, which are adaptedto be reversed from side to side and to assume an inclined position, thecontact-points on the draw to coact with the levers to reverse the sameand bear thereupon, as set forth.

8. In combination with the gates having the levers C, which are adaptedto be reversed :from side to side and to assume an inclined position,the contact-points on the draw to coact with the levers, the strips A onthe draw, and the contact points or projections on the gates, againstwhich projections the strips A coact, as set forth.

9. The combination, with the gate posts or columns B B, of the gatehavingits ends guided in the posts or columns, and provided at itscenter with the vertical gnide-iron C, having movement in the platformof the bridge, the rope or chain connected to the gale, the weightattached to the rope or chain and working in the posts or columns, andthe draw acting on the gate to depress the same when the draw is closed,substantially as specified.

In testimony thatl claim the foregoing as my own l have hereto allixcdmysignatnrc in presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM J. BRIGGS.

Vtn esses :A

E. i. Siemens, MYRTLE SirALNam-nz.

